Spartnik is a micro-satellite under construction at San Jose State University. In order to control the satellite and ensure payloads and antenna are oriented properly a passive attitude control system has been developed. Like some other micro-satellites, Spartnik will combine spin stabilization with magnetic stabilization. Thus, Spartnik will "spin" due to solar radiation pressure and perform a controlled "tumble" due to the permanent magnets aligning with the magnetic field of the Earth. Concerns have been raised about the gyroscopic effect due to the spin of the satellite. A program has been developed that numerically integrates Euler's form of the equations of motion in order to explore the gyroscopic effect and finalize the hardware design of Spartnik. Simulations have been performed that reveal the dynamic response of Spartnik under a number of conditions. This paper includes a detailed discussion of these results.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/henry-pernicka/17/